A/N: Yo wassup everyone. Sorry... it's been quite a LONG time since we've updated. But we're back and we'll HOPEFULLY have new chapters more frequently... if our teachers aren't too mean. Ok... so... enjoy.. And REVIEW!!!!! We want at least 8 (at least) reviews before our next chapter. Please? Pretty please??? Ok... enough from us.



Disclaimer: Yeah... only Dermid, Ragnal, Teron, Hugo, Timon, and Vergor Thunderstar belong to us. The rest belongs to the wonderful Ms. Pierce.



Kel whistled as she walked down the streets of Corus to Lalasa's dress shop. It was mid-afternoon; the sun was shining and the streets were teeming with people. She wore tan breeches and a white cotton shirt. As she opened the door to the tiny shop, a small bell hung over the door rang, alerting Lalasa of her entrance. Unbeknownst to Kel, there was someone else inside. She went inside and was nearly knocked over by a dirty blonde haired man. She looked up to see Lerant. She was about to continue walking when it suddenly hit her that Lerant was standing inside, well, about to leave, a woman's dress shop.

"Lerant, um, hello. Are you ready to leave today? We don't want to be behind. We're leaving right after dinner."

"Yes. Um... I was just here to... have some last minute adjustment made on my uniforms," Lerant said, beginning to look uncomfortable. He began to fidget.

"Ok, all right. See you later, then."

"Yes, Commander Keladry," he said making an exaggerated bow. She just scoffed at his antics. She then turned to Lalasa who was standing behind the counter. She was a wearing a simple brown dress and her dark hair was mussed.

"Oh, Kel! I finished your tunic."

"Thanks, Lalasa. We're leaving today."

"I know. Lerant was telling me."

"What was Lerant doing here anyway? I thought you only made women's clothes."

"Well...er...Lerant...and I, we're..." Lalasa trailed off, gesticulating unsurely with her hands.

Kel was struck full-force with a realization. "No! You're not! You can't be!"

"I am."

"When? How?" Kel paused. "Why him?"

"Well, when I was trying to open my shop, I was working in the palace tailors. Lerant came in for a fitting, and he just started talking to me. He was just being friendly, and I wasn't responding to anything he was saying, until he asked me my name. When he found out who I was, he said that he'd heard of my classes, and we started a really good conversation. After he left, I thought I would never see him again, but he came to one of my classes, and offered to help me teach the girls."

"That doesn't sound like Lerant at all," Kel said, musing over Lalasa's story.

"I think he's very sweet, not at all like how you described him. He has honorable intentions." Kel raised her eyebrows. She turned around and looked out through the window.

"It's getting late. I should be going. I just came here to say goodbye before I leave."

Lalasa came out from behind the counter and hugged her friend. "Be safe, and make sure you take good care of your clothes...and Lerant." Kel chuckled, and left the shop, re-entering the streets of Corus.



*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*



Neal was in a quandary. He sat between his best friend, Kel and cousin Dom, both of them as silent as stone. He attempted, again, to get a conversation started.

"So, my Commanders, what are the plans for this excursion?"

Kel looked at Neal. "We'll be leaving after this meal, so you should be packed. We will escort Daine and Emperor Kaddar until Vergor Thunderstar's rumored whereabouts. Once they are there, we shall make camp, and remain there in case of an emergency."

"And you, my dear Meathead, shall be our traveling healer, especially if yours truly falls off his steed," Dom added. Kel looked like she wanted to laugh, but didn't, and the table was silent again. This conversation would just have to do for Neal, at least for the moment.